“You have three days,” Aman replied coldly. “And don’t try anything clever, Priyank. I have eyes everywhere. One wrong move, and she dies.”
Priyank’s heart sank, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Three days. Fine. I’ll get you what you want.”
“Good,” Aman said, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Remember, Priyank, I’m watching you.”
Priyank sighed, deciding to say nothing because what could he even say when it felt like he was tied up? Even if he weren’t physically restrained, he now knew why this man had kidnapped him and the threat he faced.
He couldn’t be reckless. If this were a normal Mafia issue related to his company, he wouldn’t mind acting impulsively. But he knew he couldn’t do that now because this matter involved Priya.
When it came to her, he could never take it easy or put her safety at stake.
Why did it always have to be him? In his whole life, he had never found anyone he could love, but now that he had, she had first hated him, which was partly the reason for this mess. Then this whole thing happened, as if nobody wanted him to be with her when all he wanted was to be with her.
“Now I know your people will come soon, so enjoy, but remember, my eyes are on you only. If you try to backstab me, then I won’t keep my mouth away from Priya, so think carefully before you try anything,” Aman said, walking away and leaving Priyank tied up.
Some men in black suits barged in after twenty minutes. “Sir, are you okay?” one man asked as they immediately went to help Priyank.
Since Priyank’s phone had a tracker, it was easy to find him here, though locating him in the forest had been quite difficult when his phone was off.
“Sir?”
“I’m fine,” Priyank answered dryly.
He stood up as soon as the chains were broken from his wrists, his whole body still feeling the effects of Aman’s words.
Never in his life had he felt this kind of weakness, which was why he had hated love and attachments. Before, it had only been his mother, which he could handle.
Now Priya was included in that list, and her issues were so hard to handle her being a werewolf, a cursed one at that, with royal blood. And now this was added on top of everything.
When he had found that key, he had wanted to know about it. Now he regrets it. If he hadn’t found the key, this man might not have approached him, and he wouldn’t have discovered that his bastard father was the killer of Priya’s parents.
Priyank felt numb as his men escorted him to the waiting vehicle. His mind was racing, trying to process everything that had happened. Aman’s threats played on a sickening loop in his head.
He had three days to get Aman the key and Priya’s virgin blood. Three days to figure out a way to stop that madman’s twisted plan without putting Priya in danger. It seemed impossible.
As the car sped away, Priyank stared unseeingly out the window. How could he possibly get Priya’s blood without harming her? And why the hell did it have to be virgin blood? The thought of those vile men lusting after Priya’s purity made him want to puke.
No, he couldn’t let them lay a finger on her. He’d die before allowing that to happen. But he also couldn’t keep the truth from her any longer. Priya deserved to know what was going on, no matter how much it pained him.
“Sir?” One of his men placed a concerned hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”
Priyank flinched away from the touch. “I am.” he said hoarsely.
Taking a steadying breath, he began explaining everything to his stunned men – Aman’s deranged demands, the virgin blood, Priya being the target. He held nothing back.
“I have to protect her,” he said when he finished. “At all costs. No matter what.”
His men exchanged uneasy looks. They always follow Priyank’s lead, even if they don’t know what is happening.
Priyank leaned back, feeling like he would die with tension only.
Soon, he would have to tell Priya the truth and prepare her for whatever came next. He just prayed she could forgive him when she learned of his father’s unforgivable crimes against her family.
Closing his eyes, Priyank tried to steel himself for the fight ahead. He had lost so much in his life already. He wouldn’t lose Priya either. Not without a battle to the death.
“Drop me at the forest where you picked me up,” Priyank ordered.
“But sir,” the man began to protest.
“Just do what I said. I already have enough to deal with. Shut up and follow orders.”
“Sorry, sir. Okay, we will leave you there.”
Priyank pinched the bridge of his nose as he typed a message to Jackson. He had taken Jackson’s number earlier to ensure Priya’s safety. Since his car couldn’t navigate the dense forest, Jackson would need to pick him up once he arrived.
Priyank hit send on the message and stared out the window as the car approached the edge of the forest.
As the car came to a stop, Priyank stepped out into the cool morning air. The forest was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds breaking the silence.
“You all can leave.”
He checked his surroundings, making sure he was alone before proceeding deeper into the woods.
After what felt like an eternity, he reached a clearing where he could wait for Jackson. Priyank leaned against a tree, scanning the area for any signs of movement. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down, not now.
Seconds passed into minutes, finally, he heard the faint sound of an engine in the distance. Priyank tensed, readying himself as Jackson’s car appeared through the trees.
The car pulled up beside him, and Jackson stepped out, his expression serious. “Come inside.”
Priyank nodded. “Let’s go.”
Jackson didn’t ask any more questions, as he drove off the car in silence, seeing Priyank face he can see something serious happened, but he doesn’t like to let into other business until it’s not affecting the things that matter to him.